[MRCA] MRCA Long Range Operating Event

[Radio Station KW1I]

One of the highlights of the MRCA Meet is the opportunity to use your radio in the field. The "long" range operating event on Friday afternoon is perhaps the most rewarding. 1400 hrs (EDT) is the target for leaving the fairgrounds for the event.  All stations should be at their sites and on the air by 1500 hrs.

Where are the sites:

This year there will be at least six sites that are recommended. 

Lake Minsi - located on the eastern side of the ridge of hills east of Stroudsburg. Grass surrounded parking lot on the edge of small lake. Some trees.  Great place for NVIS propagation experiments back to base.  Not a good VHF location.  Good for single comm group because of small size.  12 miles point to point from base.  30 minute drive.

Big Pocono - near I80 west of Stroudsburg.  Local high elevation spot on top of ski area mountain. Great views, plenty of room for two-three comm groups.  Excellent VHF location. 10 miles point to point from base.  40 minute drive.

Pocono Raceway - north of fairgrounds.  Pick a parking lot spot, or better still take Tower Road/Dixon Lane one mile south of the raceway on west side of road.  Go in 1000 ft to open area. Good VHF coverage.  Comm group capacity - One at raceway and one on Tower Rd. Approx. 10 miles point to point from base.  25 minute drive.

Beltzville State Park - beautiful grassy reservoir waterfront location SW of fairgrounds. Lots of open area and trees.  Covered picnic area in case of rain.  VHF coverage to high points. Two groups could set up here.  12 miles point to point from base.  30 minute drive.
 
Penns Peak - parking lot location of this mountain top entertainment center to west of the Beltzville locaiton.  Good VHF coverage.  13 miles point to point from base.  One comm group here. 35 minute drive. 
 
Jacobsburg State Park - behind the ridge east of the fairgrounds. Another great spot to demo NVIS back to base.  Not a good VHF location.  12 miles point to point from base. Single group location. 12 miles point to point from base.  30 minute drive.

All locations can be reached in about 25-40 minutes.  The suggested comm group count for each site is the number of similarly equipped stations operating from the same location taking into consideration the space available for separate station set-ups.  Detailed driving instructions to these sites will be available at the MRCA Meet.

Comments on these locations by previous year MRCA field event participants is invited. 


Radio activity at sites:

Field comms are between field locations, with the MRCA base station and occasionally with remote stations listening in to our activity. 

The MRCA base station at the Howell Bldg in the fairgrounds will be equipped to communicate on 3875-3885 kHz (AM,CW,USB), 5357 kHz (USB) and 51.0 mHz (FM).  Other frequencies and modes may also be available.  MRCA base will monitor these frequencies Friday afternoon during the comm ops. Participants with mobile capability can make contact on the way to and from their field locations if possible.  MRCA base station will act as Net Control Station for remote comm groups. If you have special requirements, e.g. a low power AM field set, check with MRCA base before departure to make appropriate arrangements.  From most sites operation is possible from your vehicle, but many locations may present an opportunity for a short equipment carry to an attractive operating site. 

In the past we've not only had fun operating our equipment, but we've actually learned something.  Participants are encouraged to either alone or with a group run some experiments.  Some possibilities are:  low dipole vs high dipole, low dipole with and without a counterpoise, comparison of a tiltable vertical at different angles, base loaded vs center loaded vertical, AS-2259 stock vs AS-2259 modified for amateur band wire lengths, etc.   

Please send your special plans and scientific inquiry ideas to the reflector for comments or to recruit similarly minded meet attendees for your communication group.

73,

Dale
KW1I